The Portiuncula, located in the Diocese of Steubenville, is home to the Franciscan Lay Apostolate. We are humbly committed to imitating the Gospel life of Christ, and observing the Sacraments. Placing ourselves under strict and holy obedience to Bishop Jeffrey Monforton of Steubenville, and the Magisterium, we follow the Medieval Penitential First Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis, dated 1221 A.D. Our mission is to preach Repentance and Penance to all God's people.

About Me

Servant General of the F.L.A. (Franciscan Lay Apostolate); Hermitage Scullion; Former Radio Talk Show Host; Writer; Public Speaker; Former Staff Member of United States Senator Dan Coats; Retired Infantry Major: served with U.S. Army Intelligence in Vietnam and Europe; Wife: Karen (married 42 years), 5 children, 8 grandchildren ...
To request your special intentions to be offered up before our Eucharistic Lord in intercessory prayer, please e-mail your Prayer Intentions to the Portiuncula Hermitage at: hermitage@parallax.ws

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Do not be afraid to preach penance even though we appear ignorant and of no account...You will find some men to be faithful and kind and they will receive you gladly; but you will also find many who are unfaithful, proud, blasphemous, and they will insult and injure you and your words. Therefore, prepare your hearts to suffer everything humbly and patiently."

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Two years after Francis' conversion, three companions had joined him; Brother Bernardo, Peter Catani and Brother Giles. When the people heard them preach, they said: "Who are these men, and why do they speak like this?" They made this comment because at that time the fear and love of God had died out in the country and no one spoke of penance which indeed was considered as folly. This attitude was caused by the temptations of the flesh, the cupidity of the world, and the pride of life; the whole of mankind seemed engulfed in these three evil forces.

Monday, April 25, 2011

This Order is one of the true poor men of the Crucified One, and also an order of preachers; they are called Friars Minor. They are lesser and more humble than all present-day religious by way of their habit, their poverty, their contempt for the world...they draw from the pure waters of the fountains of the gospel with such thirst and spiritual ardor that they are not satisfied with carrying out its precepts but work hard at observing its counsels in every way...

Saturday, April 23, 2011

As St. Francis teaches, if a church is standing any place whatsoever, even though we are not present there but can see it from a distance, we are to prostrate ourselves upon the ground in its direction and, having bowed low with body and soul, are to adore Almighty God, saying, "We adore Thee oh Christ and we praise You, here and in all Thy churches!" And what is no less to be admired, wherever we see a crucifix or mark of a cross, whether upon the ground, or upon a wall, or on trees, or in the hedges along the way, we are to do the same thing.

Friday, April 22, 2011

"...Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ gives to His friends is that of conquering oneself and willingly enduring sufferings, insults, humiliations, and hardships for the love of Christ. For we cannot glory in all those other marvelous gifts of God, as they are not ours but God's, as the Apostle says: 'What have you that you have not received?'

"But we can glory in the cross of tribulations and afflictions, because that is ours, and so the Apostle says: 'I will not glory save the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!'"

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Located in the Sacro Speco Benedictine Monastery in Subiaco, Italy, this magnificent portrait of St. Francis of Assisi was painted during his lifetime.

The brothers hardly spoke even when necessary; neither did anything scurrilous or idle proceed from their mouths, in order that nothing immodest or unbecoming might be found in their life and conversation.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Francis burned with a love that came from his whole being for the Sacrament of the Lord's Body, and he was carried away with wonder at the loving condescension and the most condescending love shown there... He frequently received Holy Communion and he did so with such devotion that he made others also devout. Showing toward that Sacrament deserving of all reverence all the reverence he could, he offered a sacrifice to all his members; and receiving the Lamb that was offered, he immolated his own spirit with the fire that burned always upon the altar of his heart.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

To all who came to St. Antony of the Desert he always had this advice: to trust in the Lord, and love Him, to keep themselves from bad thoughts and bodily pleasures, and not to be led astray by the feasting of the stomach, (as it is written in Proverbs), to flee vainglory, to pray always, to sing psalms before sleeping and after, to repeat by heart the commandments of the Scriptures and to remember the deeds of the Saints, that by their example the soul may train itself under the guidance of the Commandments.

Monday, April 18, 2011

In Francis' eyes the vice of detraction in particular seemed to be the antithesis of the religious spirit and an enemy of grace. He had a horror of it, like a snake-bite or a deadly pest, and he declared that it was an abomination in God's sight because the detractor feeds on the blood of the souls which he kills with his tongue.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

St. Francis was convinced that conversion of sinners was a work of mercy that was more acceptable to the Father than any sacrifice, particularly if it was done in the spirit of perfect charity, more by example than by preaching, more by fervent prayer than by long-winded sermons!

Friday, April 15, 2011

"What then do you say, O children of the saints? Jealousy and envy prove you are degenerate, and no less, ambition proves you are illegitimate children. You bite and devour one another, and your conflicts and strifes arise only from your concupiscences. Your wrestling is against the hosts of darkness, your battle is against the armies of devils, and you turn the points of your swords against each other"...

Thursday, April 14, 2011

St. Francis had learned how to distribute the time in which he could gain merit wisely, devoting part of it to his neighbor by doing good, and part to the restful ecstasy of contemplation. According to the demands of time or circumstances he would devote himself wholly to the salvation of his neighbor, but when he had finished, he would escape from the distracting crowds and go into solitude in search of penance. There he was free to attend exclusively to God and he would cleanse any stain he had contracted while living in the midst of the world.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Tunic found in Cortona, Italy that was once worn by St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis designed for himself a tunic that bore a likeness to the cross, that by means of it he might beat off all temptations of the devil; he designed a very rough tunic so that by it he might crucify the flesh with all its vices and sins; he designed a very poor and mean tunic, one that would not excite the covetousness of the world.

There appears to be a growing interest in the monastic life among people of all lifestyles – and no wonder! For centuries, the monastic life has provided monks and nuns with disciplines and practices aimed at helping them maintain balanced, healthy and centered lifestyles while they “prefer nothing to Christ.” But these practices are not only for monks! Join us as we explore practices such as silence, prayer, simplicity, solitude and celebration, and the benefits they have for all our lives. Fee $110.00 per person which includes meals and transportation (does not include meals while traveling to and from the Retreat Center). Jerusalem, Ohio sits high on top the foothills of Appalachia, near Steubenville, Ohio.

"Guess who hasn't had their cup of Mystic Monk Coffee yet this morning!"

Fra Chris

The Carmelite Monks of Wyoming

Mystic Monk Coffee is roasted by the Carmelite Monks, a Roman Catholic monastery in the silence and solitude of the Rocky Mountains of northern Wyoming. The monks live a hidden life of prayer and contemplation in the pursuit of God. The monastery is inundated with young men who seek to leave everything to pray for the world, in a tradition at least a thousand years old. It is the monks’ great joy and privilege to share the fruit of their life with you in every cup of Mystic Monk Coffee.

The Monk Master Roaster

Br. Java is the master roaster who meticulously roasts beans in small batches. His philosophy is that each roast must be not only the labor of his hands, but a master roast of the highest quality. Br. Java is passionate about obtaining the perfect roasts for you. He carefully roasts only the finest gourmet beans under conditions that will make each roast consistent and smooth with a taste that will make your taste buds tingle. With experience and perfection, Mystic Monk Coffee is a coffee to savor and enjoy – with or without cream.

The Legend of the First Mystic Monk

Coffee is a product perfected and loved by monks from its beginning. When a monk of old heard the anguished tale of a shepherd who had sleepless goats, he himself discovered growing on shrubs the berries, which had such a wonderful affect. Delighted at his find, the ingenious monk boiled the beans in water and drank the resulting coffee. He found in his discovery a hot drink that could keep his eyes awake even amidst the midnight vigils and unceasing prayers of the monastic life.

The secret of coffee continues to keep monks ever alert and vigilant for their prayers, but now Mystic Monk Coffee shares the hidden, master roasts of monks with all who seek a delightful cup of coffee.

Monks are passionate Perfectionists

The monastic life is one of ordered perfection, which you will taste in every bag of Mystic Monk Coffee. Passionate about perfection, no challenge is too great for Br. Java and the monks, if it will result in a Mystic Monk brew suited for the most discriminating coffee drinker. The Carmelite monks have mastered the ancient art of roasting coffee, laboring with steadfast determination to make each cup of coffee simply superb. Taste the monastic perfection in each brew, which makes all the difference.

Please remember that when you buy Mystic Monk Coffee through the Portiuncula Hermitage, ten percent of all their commission sales is donated to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion.)

Please remember to keep our pre-born in your daily prayers!

To order direct, simply click on the Bag of Mystic Monk Coffee on the Top of this page:

With their eyes directed toward the gound, the brothers clung to heaven with their minds. No envy, no malice, no rancor, no abusive speech, no suspicion, no bitterness found any place in them; but great concord, continual quiet, thanksgiving, and the voice of praise were in them. These were the teachings of their beloved St. Francis, by which he formed his new sons, not by words alone, but above all in deeds and in truth.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Humility, patience, perfect simplicity, and true peace of heart are all the aim of the Spirit of God, but above all else it desires the fear of God, the divine Wisdom and the divine Love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We must all be on our guard against pride and empty boasting and beware of worldly or natural wisdom. A worldly spirit loves to talk a lot but do nothing, striving for the exterior signs of holiness that people can see, with no desire for true piety and interior holiness of spirit.

Friday, April 08, 2011

Father Mike, chancellor for 11 years after 26 years as president of Franciscan University, will retire to the Sacred Heart Province motherhouse in Loretto, Pennsylvania, effective June 30, 2011.

Message from Father Mike

"The Lord has given me countless blessings through my years of service at Franciscan University, It has been a remarkable privilege and deep joy to work with so many committed Christian faculty, staff, administrators, and donors in the vitally important ministry of Catholic higher education. While I will miss the daily relationships with our joy-filled students, alumni, and conference-goers on campus and my many friends in the local community, I know that this new phase of my life is also under God’s providential care and I look forward to seeing what he has next for me."

Message from Father Terence Henry, TOR, President of Franciscan University

"We are deeply grateful to Father Mike for all he has done for the renewal of Franciscan University, the renewal of Catholic higher education, and the renewal of the worldwide Church. Father Mike heeded those same words that were spoken to St. Francis of Assisi over 800 years ago, 'Go and rebuild my Church.' And he did so by transforming Franciscan University into an internationally recognized Catholic university,"

Message from Father Christian Oravec, TOR, minister provincial, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, chairman, Board of Trustees

“On behalf of the province and the trustees, I extend our sincere gratitude to Father Michael for his tireless service as chancellor and president. If anyone deserves to enjoy a peaceful retirement, it is Father Michael, and we wish him all the best.”

Message from Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon, bishop of Steubenville

"It is hard to imagine Steubenville without Father Michael Scanlan. His role as president and later chancellor of Franciscan University has left an indelible mark on that institution. He has been a champion of civil rights and the common good in the larger community. As the bishop of the local diocese, I am also aware of and grateful for the pastoral care Father Michael has offered many people over the years, especially those involved in the charismatic renewal. I invite all the people of the Diocese of Steubenville to give thanks to God for this faithful servant and to ask blessings upon him."

The impact of Father Mike

In 1956, Father Scanlan graduated from Harvard Law School. He then served as Staff Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force before discerning a call to religious life and entering the Franciscan Third Order Regular in 1957. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1964. After serving his religious order in various assignments including rector of St. Francis Seminary in Loretto, he accepted the office of president at the College of Steubenville, Ohio, in 1974.

Father Scanlan assumed the presidency in the midst of turbulent times, transforming Franciscan over the next 26 years from a small Catholic regional college struggling to keep its doors open into a world-renowned leader in Catholic higher education.

Under Father Scanlan’s leadership, the University’s theology professors became the first at any Catholic college or university in the nation to publicly pledge an Oath of Fidelity to the magisterium.

Franciscan University gained international attention during his tenure for its fidelity to the Catholic Church, integration of faith and reason in academic and residence life programs, and its commitment to excellence in education.

Father Scanlan led the development of the largest undergraduate Theology Program of any U.S. Catholic university and the founding of a Human Life Studies Minor, the only academic program of its kind in the U.S., which trains students to articulate the value of human life from conception to natural death.

Enrollment grew from 1,000 students in the early 1970s to over 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students in 2000, when he turned over the presidency to Father Terence Henry, TOR.

Father Scanlan also founded Catholic summer conference programs for adults and teens in 1975 with a national Catholic charismatic conference for priests and deacons. Today, Franciscan’s summer conferences reach over 40,000 people annually with the good news of authentic Catholic renewal and the New Evangelization.

Father Scanlan is the author of over 16 books and booklets, including Let the Fire Fall and What Does God Want? As a sought-after conference, pilgrimage, and retreat leader, he has reached out to hundreds of thousands of Catholics and other Christians in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa.

In October 2009 Franciscan University held a celebration marking Father Scanlan's 50th anniversary as a professed Franciscan. The event included a conference, a Mass of thanksgiving, and a gala reception and dinner, all hosted by Father Henry.

The occasion prompted hundreds of congratulatory messages, many from bishops, cardinals, and other Church leaders. Cardinal Francis George, OMI, of Chicago, wrote, “When Father Scanlan became the president of what was then known as the College of Steubenville in 1974, it was hardly known outside of the state of Ohio. Now, as Franciscan University, it is known throughout the nation as a place where the Catholic faith is taught in an academically inquisitive and rigorous way, but always true to the magisterium of the Church.”

Proceeds from the celebration benefited the Father Michael Scanlan Scholarship Fund, which provides tuition assistance to students and is one of

Father Scanlan's many legacies.

In the coming weeks, Father Scanlan will be honored for his distinguished service to the University at the Senior Farewell Mass, a faculty and staff gathering, the Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians Conference, the Catholic Charismatic Conference, and other public events.

Father Henry said it is “impossible” to calculate the thousands of lives transformed and souls brought closer to Christ because of Father Scanlan's decades of service.

"Franciscan University's mission springs from the heart of the Church, which has borne so much fruit from Father Michael's endeavors. This fruit can be seen in our graduates who serve the Church in so many outstanding apostolates, in family life, as priests and religious, in business, healthcare, and in their churches and communities."

Thursday, April 07, 2011

On Palm Sunday, in the year 1212 A.D., a young noblewoman of Assisi, Clare di Favarone, attended Mass at the cathedral of San Rufino where she received her palm from the hand of the bishop himself. That night she left home secretly and went to the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, the Portiuncula. There, St. Francis himself witnessed her vows to live the Gospel life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. From that moment till her death she was a true Bride of the Poor Christ, the most faithful daughter of St. Francis

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessing.To You alone, Most High, do they belong,and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures,especially Sir Brother Sun,Who is the day and through whom You give us light.And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weatherthrough which You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,through whom You light the nightand he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your loveand bear infirmity and tribulation.Blessed are those who endure in peacefor by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,from whom no living man can escape.Woe to those who die in mortal sin.Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanksand serve Him with great humility.

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

T

We need to raise $120,000 to duplicate this Portiuncula Chapel
at the Franciscan University of Steubenville

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One day during Eastertide the brothers at the hermitage of Greccio prepared the table more daintily than they ususally did with white linens and glassware. Coming down from his cell, St. Francis saw the table elevated above the ground and decorated extravagantly. But though the table was smiling, he was not. Unseen and little by little he retraced his steps, put on the hat of a poor man who was there, and, taking his staff in his hand, went outside. He waited outside the door until the brothers began to eat, for they were in the habit of not waitning for him when he did not come at the signal. They had just begun to eat when this truly poor man cried out at the door, "For the love of the Lord God, an alms, please, for this poor, sick pilgrim." The brothers answered, "Do come in, whoever you are, for the love of him whose name you have invoked." He immediately entered and appeared before them as they were eating. Oh, what astonishment that pilgrim then caused these comfortable citizens! They gave him the plate he asked for, and he withdrew and sat alone on the floor, placing the dish in the ashes.

"Now I am sitting as a Lesser Brother should sit." he said. And turning to the brothers, he said, "We should be moved by the example of the poverty of the Son of God more than others are. I saw a table richly prepared, and I thought, this is not the table of poor men who beg from door to door."

Fr. Todd will be offering all retreatants Reconciliation at St. Andrew's at 11:00 A.M. on Friday and we will be leaving St. Andrew's at 12:00 Noon “SHARP.” Even if you don't plan on receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please plan on arriving with the rest of the group at 11:00 A.M., so that we don't hold the rest of the group up! We will be attending Mass at St. Sylvester's Catholic Church in Woodsfield, Ohio and arrive back in Richmond around 4:00 P.M. Sunday.

The cost is $110 per person ($40 non refundable, non-transferable deposit due upon registration).

Your Registration includes Saturday and Sunday Morning Continental Breakfasts, your Saturday evening meal, along with healthy drinks and snacks throughout the weekend.

Blessed is the servant of God who has confidence in priests who live according to the laws of the holy Roman Church. Woe to those who despise them. Even if they fall into sin, no one should pass judgement on them, for God has reserved judgement on them to Himself. They are in a privileged position because they have charge of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they receive and which they alone administer to others, and so anyone who sins against them commits a greater crime than if he sinned against anyone else in the whole world.

Sunday, April 03, 2011

"O wonderful ascent, O stupendous descent! O sublime humility! O humble sublimity, that the Lord of the Universe, God and Son of God, should so humbly hide himself, for our salvation, in what seems to be only a small piece of bread! Look, then, upon the humility of God! And pour out your hearts before him. Humble yourselves that he might exalt you. Hold back nothing of yourselves, that he may receive your all who gave his all to you."